… And now throw it like that – told Ahri and threw her sphere like she was doing it on battlefield. She knew it was impossible to stay with boy forever, so she had to teach him how to survive longer in his new body. The boy threw his essence sphere and after traveling few meters, it stopped and returned to him.

- Whoa... How it's working, Ahri? - he asked.

- Well... I am not really sure. Guess that as this orb is basically part of our body, it is just unable to go too far from us. Now... hit me.

Boy was shocked. Why she want him to hurt her...

- Oh, come on, hit me... don't be so scared, little one... I have lot of essence, so if you will throw sphere at me, it will make you able to survive some time without hunting...

- If you say so... - said boy and attacked Ahri. This was first time when he could feel strong magic from his sphere – he was so shocked that he dropped it and jumped away. Girl giggled when he was surprised, as the orb traveled back to him.

- Don't worry, little one... it just have more energy for you. It's part of you now, remember?

- Now, when you are human, it wouldn't be wise for you to eat raw meat. After you manage to kill an animal, you will have to prepare and cook it. Do you know what fire is?

- Hey, I was a house cat, after all... Of course I know what is fire!

- Good. Now, try to imagine part of your energy coming out of your orb, and let is spin around you.

After few tries, cat managed to make a small spark.

- Ahri, I did it! What now?

- Now, gather some dry sticks and rocks... I will help you.

-Okay, now we can create a bonfire. All you need to do is give the sticks here, surround it with stones and make two opposite pillars. Then, place meat... - saying that, Ahri placed a bird they took while looking for stones – and use your spark to ignite sticks. Wait, I think we forgot about something... I know! - she took bird and started to take half-burned feathers from it – now, I think it's all.

About ten days later, in probably only cave in Kumungu jungle that had doors, Ahri was looking at her little boy – she couldn't say when she started to think about him like that. He was really smart, he managed to find a small cave with fresh spring, and even closed it up using some fallen trees. His strength was much bigger than anyone could guess while looking at him, but he decided not to overuse it. From three days Ahri wasn't coming out with him, and he had to gather food for both of them – and he was quite good in this. The fox-girl suddenly felt sad. This was last night when he was going to sleep in her tail – she didn't knew if it was intentional, but he picked same one he was hugging to after being charmed by her – Ahri couldn't stop a smile after thinking about this. But there was one more thing to do.

When the boy awakened, she smiled once more. He was giving out a meow every time someone else would yawn. Although she preferred to think about Japanese version of this word, somehow closer to her.

- Good morning, little one. Do you remember what will happen today?

- Yes... Ahri, are you sure you have to go so fast? Can't you just stay here? I will learn how to cook well, if you want...

- Little one, it's not that simple... I have to get back to work... - she smiled again, thinking about her "work". It's time now – she thought.

- But! - she started – Before I go, I have to give you one more gift.

- A... gift? - He asked, curious – But it's not another portion of energy? - Boy told it little faster, his eyes opened little wider – he was scared?

She giggled again.

- No, my little one, and it will be not something that you will be able to touch... But some people say it can decide about your whole life!

- What it is, Ahri?

- It's a... name! I've been thinking some about it, but I think that "Nyako" suits you well.

- Nya... ko... What does it mean?

- Well... Lets say it's somewhat associated with you, okay? - She giggled again, as she dodged it quite well. Child meow, that was great joke... but, as one of other champions would say, it suited him well so it's OK.

- Are you absolutely sure you have to go back? - He asked, holding her tail. Sadly, teleport spell was not that easy to stop.

- As I told you, Nyako, if I stay here, they would come here... and this jungle is not ready for some powerful mages destroying everything while looking for other mage. Now, come here...

She pushed him closer to herself and embraced with both arms and all nine tails.

- Goodbye, Nyako... I will return as fast, as it will be possible... Try to not fall into trouble, okay?

- Okay... Ahri, one more thing!

- Yes? Please, say it fast! - She heightened her voice as the teleport took focus.

- Just... Just take it! - he placed something in her hand and fell to ground as woman disappeared. He had to do well now, for her...

-Ahri, the nine tailed fox. Please, give us a report from your mission. - same woman as before was speaking to her.

- After three weeks of looking for it, I abandoned the mission as any traces of sphere energy disappeared. I've killed some birds, but haven't met any human in the jungle – she was happy. She basically said truth, but also hid the exist of her little boy...

- Good. Now, go back to your home.

It was probably first time in her life when she was not happy of being able to lie on comfortable bed or take a hot shower. She didn't wanted this, she wanted to be sure that her little Nyako is safe... She was not sure why it was so, she wasn't caring for anyone else before... Some romances that were part of her "assimilation" program appeared in her mind, but no, this feeling was something different than love described there. But now was time to sleep, so Ahri lied on her luxury bed and finally opened left hand... That was a blue mana crystal – she heard about gathering them from caves, but it was supposed to be rare... Then she turned it to other side and gazed, as she saw...

A little, childish, stickman drawing with two characters – both with something looking like animal ears, smaller with one line going to side, probably tail, and bigger one with nine tails...